mattb

The most recent issue of Skydiving Magazine had a short article on swoop pond design in the letters to the editor section towards the end of the issue.

I agree - the third party insurance is worthwhile. There is also the need for an organization to serve as a public voice every once in a while. The possibilities for negative media coverage are endless. -mb

How exactly does that work - 2 schools at 1 DZ. When somebody shows up who has never skydived how are they supposed to decide?

Had a lot of fun at Lodi when I went with only 30 or so jumps. It was January so it was a bit slow but coming from Chicago I felt it was very warm. Can't compare it to anyplace else in the Bay Area. Was renting gear and had to jump a bigger canopy than I was used to but surprises other than that. -mb

Sangiro The link for Precision's new canopies (Synergy, RavenMax, etc) takes me to www.skydivewings.com. This happened in the forums section of the site. -mb

Nice look and feel - some feedback How much do jumps cost for regular jumpers? What types of planes do you fly? Can I camp on the DZ?

Yes - I am currently unemployed which may explain my random deep thoughts. That being said - Where to "hybrid" divers fit into the exit order? I don't mean experienced RW/freefly groups but the group of 2-4 whose dive plan is "go out linked in a sit, flip on our bellies when we break apart". On a couple occassions last year I exited after other freefliers who ended up on the belly by 10,000 feet and watched as I fell below them. Horizontal separation was not an issue, but falling past people is still somewhat unsettling. Thoughts?

Thanks to all for the feedback. I wasn't expecting every question answered. My main thought after a year and half in the sport is that learning about jump run procedures (from what to do when the plane banks, to how much separation to give) should occur at some point in the student training. -mb

The lack of freefall separation, even if occassional, scares me. From an academic perspective John Kallend, Brian Burke, and others have done some very impressive work taking into account multiple variables. I hope to catch John's seminar this weekend at SDC. My concern is that these physics are not in the head of low-time jumpers (myself included) on jump-run. Spotting on a student program often consists of being told to jump when you are over the dropzone on a hop-n-pop. Works fine until the 8-way team that is first out does the same thing and the pilot is gesturing for the remaining jumpers to get out so he doesn't have to fly 2 jump runs. Some observations: * Exit separation is often learned on jump run when the experienced jumper tells those behind him to count to eight. Students aren't taught a lot about it. * In my experience those last out are for more likely to have a poor spot than those first out. Low time jumpers get to the door and see the dropzone getting further and further away and count 1-2-3-4-5 in one breadth instead of giving a good five seconds. * Jumpers are unaware of the factors that determine separation such as ground speed, winds at altitude, etc. Should they be aware? * Jump runs are not always in a strait line - does this affect separation? * What is a regular opening altitude? I know jumpers with over 100 jumps who dump at 3,500-4,000 because their Stilletto snivels and jumpers who pull at 2,000-2500. I also have seen jumpers dislike their spot during freefall and open at 4,500-5000 feet in order to make it back (and still be able to do a 180 riser turn before landing.) * If an Otter with 21 jumpers has 7-10 groups can they all get out with the necessary separation, open at 3,000 feet and land in the main landing area? * What should happen when the RW jumpers with 100-1000s of jumps wait to climb out because they trust their spot over the pilot? Should those jumping 45-60 seconds later jump on a second pass? I don't have the expertise to offer a solution. I think it is important though that we consider practical solutions. Not all jumpers are aware enough to know when the plane has traveled 1000 feet or know the winds at altitude. I would love to see a chalkboard at the DZ that said "7 seconds separation" updated for the amount of time needed that day. I would also like to think that if the first group was slow climbing out and leaving that the pilot would flip the light off and make a second pass. Nervous low-time jumpers are going to count fast if they think it is the difference between landing off and landing at the DZ. This isn't intentional, it's adreniline, fear, and eagerness all factoring in to the count. All thoughts are welcome. I admit a bias because I am often one of the last jumpers out of the plane. -mb

The lack of freefall separation, even if occassional, scares me. From an academic perspective John Kallend, Brian Burke, and others have done some very impressive work taking into account multiple variables. I hope to catch John's seminar this weekend at SDC. My concern is that these physics are not in the head of low-time jumpers (myself included) on jump-run. Spotting on a student program often consists of being told to jump when you are over the dropzone on a hop-n-pop. Works fine until the 8-way team that is first out does the same thing and the pilot is gesturing for the remaining jumpers to get out so he doesn't have to fly 2 jump runs. Some observations: * Exit separation is often learned on jump run when the experienced jumper tells those behind him to count to eight. Students aren't taught a lot about it. * In my experience those last out are for more likely to have a poor spot than those first out. Low time jumpers get to the door and see the dropzone getting further and further away and count 1-2-3-4-5 in one breadth instead of giving a good five seconds. * Jumpers are unaware of the factors that determine separation such as ground speed, winds at altitude, etc. Should they be aware? * Jump runs are not always in a strait line - does this affect separation? * What is a regular opening altitude? I know jumpers with over 100 jumps who dump at 3,500-4,000 because their Stilletto snivels and jumpers who pull at 2,000-2500. I also have seen jumpers dislike their spot during freefall and open at 4,500-5000 feet in order to make it back (and still be able to do a 180 riser turn before landing.) * If an Otter with 21 jumpers has 7-10 groups can they all get out with the necessary separation, open at 3,000 feet and land in the main landing area? * What should happen when the RW jumpers with 100-1000s of jumps wait to climb out because they trust their spot over the pilot? Should those jumping 45-60 seconds later jump on a second pass? I don't have the expertise to offer a solution. I think it is important though that we consider practical solutions. Not all jumpers are aware enough to know when the plane has traveled 1000 feet or know the winds at altitude. I would love to see a chalkboard at the DZ that said "7 seconds separation" updated for the amount of time needed that day. I would also like to think that if the first group was slow climbing out and leaving that the pilot would flip the light off and make a second pass. Nervous low-time jumpers are going to count fast if they think it is the difference between landing off and landing at the DZ. This isn't intentional, it's adreniline, fear, and eagerness all factoring in to the count. All thoughts are welcome. I admit a bias because I am often one of the last jumpers out of the plane. -mb

Will be there. Debating whether or not to try the camper for the first time in the winter or if it is a double commute. -mb

Will be there. Debating whether or not to try the camper for the first time in the winter or if it is a double commute. -mb

Not sure if it's worth adding my two cents or not on this but I will anyway - Last summer I was on a two-way jump with my girlfriend. I landed ~ 50 yards in front of her about the same time. She flared high and broke her wrist. By the time I had collapsed my canopy, two people were at her side. Within minutes the DZO, other staff, and fun jumpers had stopped by to help / make sure she was OK. This was on a fairly busy early summer day. I wasn't at SDC today and don't know what happened but I wouldn't say it's typical of the dropzone. Matt

I claim no expertise on the issue but will pipe in anyway - Some DZs require a USPA membership. Visiting jumpers can purchase temporary memberships for while they are over here. I think it depends greatly on the dropzone. Matt

Go out and lay on your back and watch the plane fly away.

If anyone knows where to found the downloads for MS Flight Simulator let me know. Just got the program - it's addictive. I was amazed to find Skydive Chicago in the airport directory hangar and all. (Although there were a few extra houses in the area.) Great program.

Survey is off - it lists Milwaukee as #22. Having lived there (sausage, cheese, beer, etc) I know it's not #22.

You can get liability insurance from any major insurance company (state farm, etc.). It's not specific to a single act but covers you if you are sued for negligence doing anything. (Generally it only covers above your auto insurance for car accidents.) Examples: hitting somebody with a golf ball, driving somebody else's boat / jet ski (if it was your boat you would need insurance), snowmobiling into a car, etc, etc, etc. Given today's world and the fact you can get sued for anything it's easy to get and generally is sold in $1,000,000 increments. -mb

Since I've flown a couple times this week I'll offer my best guess - It's all up to security, the airline policy does not matter. If United says its ok that doesn't mean security has to listen to that. Knowing who you talked to / having it in writing won't matter. Security varies - in Chicago I could not carry on a toiletry kit and was told so before going through. In Houston I could carry on a toiletry kit. I would ask before going through as the new policy is if they don't like it - they keep it and give it to the police for destruction. The attitude at airports right now leaves no room for discussion on "what is a cypres", etc. My suggestion is that should be prepared to check the rig and buy the added insurance for lost luggage. -mb

Thanks for the responses. I feel like I just did my first tandem - an overwhelming amount to learn / understand but eager to do it. -mob

Is there a site comparable to dz.com for those interested in flying? Message boards, equipment/plane reviews, etc for the newbie to lurk and learn. Thanks

Why is everyone posting without guessing who the guy is? I guess phatcat for no reason at all but to make sure that at least 1 guess is in each e-mail.

Pammi - A few tips. Digital Zoom and Optical Zoom are not the same. Digital zoom will decrease the clarity/resolution of the picture. Few digital cameras have more than a 2x or 3x Optical Zoom. If you really want a good zoom buy a camera that supports additional lenses and buy a telephoto lens. Get a Kodak. I'm biased - having owned 2 and liked them both a lot. The DC-4800 is great. I havea DC-240 too, but I don't think they sell them any more. Don't worry about how many megapixels it supports as long as it supports at least 1 mexapixel. I've found that I usually take pictures at less than full resolution to fit more onto a memory card. I think it works out so a 1 megapixel image is about 5x7 inches without any loss of clarity. 2 megapixels is 8x10 - any larger than that and you won't be able to print it on a standard printer. My few cents, Matt

it's not just you curious what it is . . .

Get them! They make sitting/laying/crunching in the plane much more comfortable. -mob